Canterbury and Dover Day Trips from London

551 Reviews

Home to the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Canterbury Cathedral and iconic White Cliffs of Dover, the cities of Canterbury and Dover make ideal day trips from London. Here are a few ways to optimize your time in the southeastern corner of England.

Highlights

Explore UNESCO–listed Canterbury Cathedral and the famous White Cliffs of Dover—two of southeast England’s best-known attractions.Explore the roots of Christianity in England at Canterbury Cathedral.Admire the mighty White Cliffs of Dover, and perhaps spin through seaside towns such as Deal, Kingsdown, and Sandwich.Trace centuries of royal history at the beautiful Leeds Castle in Kent, a medieval fortress located en route to Canterbury and Dover.With travel included, relax and take in the sites in comfort.

Things to Know

Canterbury is 62 miles (99 kilometers) to the southeast of London, a drive of about an hour and a half.Dover is 81 miles (130 kilometers) southeast of London, about two hours away by road.Day tours from London typically last 10 to 12 hours, including travel time.Tours usually start and end in central London, and many also take in Leeds Castle and the maritime historical buildings of Greenwich.

Places to Visit Nearby

If you’re traveling southeast to Canterbury and Dover, don’t miss the chance to visit medieval Leeds Castle. With a history dating back to the 12th century, Leeds Castle is widely considered among the finest historic fortresses in Kent.

10 Tours and Tickets

Discover three of southern England’s top sights on this full-day coach trip from London to Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Dover. Pass the maritime historical buildings of Greenwich on your way to scenic Kent, a county known as the ‘Garden of England.’ Take a private look around stunning Leeds Castle before the crowds arrive, and enjoy a privileged tour of UNESCO-listed Canterbury Cathedral. End your day with views of Dover Castle and the famous White Cliffs of Dover.

Maximise your time and budget on this full-day tour from London, starting with a tour of Leeds Castle, Henry VIII’s grand Tudor palace. Next, explore the medieval city of Canterbury, famous for the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral. After lunch, head to the coast to visit the mighty White Cliffs of Dover, then return to London to discover more of Britain’s maritime history in Greenwich. After visiting the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark and the Old Royal Naval College, cruise along the River Thames, past landmarks like Tower Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Journey to England’s south-eastern coast on this full-day small-group tour of Dover and Canterbury from London, including round-trip private transfers. Drive through the scenic Kent countryside to the historic port of Dover, overlooked by the dramatic White Cliffs of Dover and tour the medieval Dover Castle. After lunch, head to Canterbury to visit the UNESCO-listed Canterbury Cathedral, the seat of the Church of England, then use your free time to explore attractions like St Martin’s Church, St Augustine’s Abbey or The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge.

Legendary churches, UNESCO World Heritage sites and other famous landmarks await you on this day trip from London. Discover Leeds Castle before it opens to the public during a private, guided visit; snap photos of the striking White Cliffs of Dover; tour Canterbury Cathedral, immortalized by Geoffrey Chaucer in ‘The Canterbury Tales'; explore the beautiful borough of Greenwich; and take in London’s world-famous sights on a sunset cruise along the Thames River.

Enhance your experience of England’s natural and architectural treasures on a customizable full-day trip to Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and the Cliffs of Dover. Relish the flexibility of this customizable day-trip, which allows you to explore each site independently or upgrade for insightful guided tours. Marvel at the verdant grounds and ancient majesty of Leeds Castle; discover the ecclesiastical elegance of Canterbury Cathedral; and gaze at the crumbling white cliffs of Dover on this enriching excursion. Enjoy transportation by luxury coach and an experienced guide.

Escape the city in favor of England’s tranquil countryside on a full-day tour of Canterbury, Leeds Castle, and Dover from London. Tailored to the interests of history buffs, this excursion covers the history-rich city of Canterbury, home to the 6th-century Canterbury Cathedral, and the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. See, too, the charming Leeds Castle, surrounded by lakes and verdant gardens.

The White Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Cathedral are two of the most important sites in southeast England, and this full-day tour from London visits both in one day. Marvel at the famous White Cliffs and gaze out across the English Channel as you walk along the cliff tops, then enjoy a walking tour of Canterbury and visit the UNESCO-listed Cathedral (optional).

Venture into the so-called ‘Garden of England’ on this day trip to Kent from London. Traveling by luxury coach, you’ll visit Canterbury Cathedral, one of Christianity’s most important churches; the iconic White Cliffs of Dover; and Leeds Castles all in one day. This small-group tour is limited to just 16 participants, ensuring personalized attention from the guide.

Tick off three of south east England’s top attractions in only one day on this 11-hour tour of Leeds Castle, Canterbury, and Dover from London. Ideal for those with limited time in England, this tour covers the beautiful grounds of Leeds Castle, the medieval town of Canterbury, and the magnificent White Cliffs of Dover. Travel in comfort in an executive coach and take guided tours of each attraction with your guide.

Unless you hire a car, a DIY day trip to ancient Canterbury from London means going by rail: missing the opportunity to branch out into Kent on route. This private tour lets you see more in a day: with a visit to Canterbury Cathedral, time to stroll the medieval lanes, a drive through rural Kent with a possible pub stop; plus an optional extra visit to Dover’s White Cliffs.